The Rise of Political Anxiety

If you’ve ever felt your chest tighten during a press conference or lost sleep over a breaking news headline—you’re not alone. Political anxiety is becoming a widespread emotional reality, especially in times like these. And with the return of President Trump to the White House, Elon Musk’s influence on federal institutions, and rapid shifts in U.S. governance, millions are feeling that uncomfortable tightness in their chest more than ever.

But this isn’t just “being upset by politics.” It’s a deeper fear—a fear of losing control, security, progress, and personal freedoms. Political anxiety happens when the events of the world feel like they’re crawling off the screen and into your actual life.

Why This Moment Feels Different

There’s something uniquely disorienting about this political moment. From environmental policy rollbacks and EPA unrest to the strange rise of meme-based resistance and bizarre conspiracies pushed by government leaders, everything feels… off. And for many, it’s not just policy that’s changing—it’s the rules.

Elon Musk’s involvement in dismantling government programs through his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) has caused widespread confusion and fear, especially among civil servants and climate advocates. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration is pushing a narrative steeped in suspicion, anti-institutionalism, and chaos.

The result? A spike in anxiety, hopelessness, and even grief.

Social Media, Memes, and the Fog of Fear

Social media might be how we stay informed—but it’s also how fear spreads. Outrage goes viral. Conspiracies trend. Humor turns bitter. You log on to find community, but instead you get a wave of helplessness.

This isn’t just information overload—it’s emotional overload.

You’re Not Overreacting—You’re Human

That pit in your stomach? That racing heart? That urge to “check the news just one more time”? These are your body’s responses to threat—and while the threat may not be a tiger in the wild, your nervous system doesn’t know that.

Political anxiety isn’t weakness. It’s a deeply human reaction to instability.

You are not overreacting. You are reacting to something real.

And the good news? You’re not stuck in that reaction. There are ways to work through it—and we’ll walk through them next.